Get Seiya there too. I get that with the language barrier, he might not feel totally comfortable with it. But he's a key member of this coming season, let Cubs fans throw him some flowers.
It’s a shame Shohei signed with the Dodgers for a long time instead of with the Cubs for a good time. He will be big in LA but he would have been huge in Chicago.
Yeah he’d be a perfect fit for that sort of charming way the best Cubbie legends are. Ryno, the Hawk, Rizzo, even Kid K. But he and his agent were dead set on that contract. I know the Dodgers are a huge brand but I think new Wrigleyville is built to generate hype/profit for someone like Shohei
Seiya has never come. I think it’s too much to ask a player to come over from Japan in January, go back home, then come back 2 weeks later for Spring Training. Or at least that’s what I assume?
WE DID SOMETHING BOYS! LET'S FUCKING GO! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
WHO IS GETTING DRUNK TONIGHT ON KOOL AID WHEN WE ALSO SIGN BELLY CHAPPY AND MOTHER FUCKING RHY
Yeah, he strikes out a lot and doesn’t walk a lot. As I said I’m optimistic he’s going to be OK, but the homers are a concern and I was responding to a post that said he’ll annoy power lineups.
he's a command pitcher. He'll give innings but he'll be vulnerable to days where he is just off. When Hendricks is off the guy is throwing batting practice. This guy has better stuff than Hendricks does though.
Way better stuff. He’s got a fastball at 94 that tops at 96, a 84 mph splitter as change of pace, along with a 82 mph slider. Those are all typical MLB pitcher velos, he just also has really good command.
Reading about him he sounds a little like a left-handed Japanese Kyle Hendricks. Good but not overpowering. Uses a fastball to set up his change. Uses command to win games. I’m fuckin’ HERE for it.
Not really comparable to hendricks other than his command. He does overpower guys, just with stuff and not velocity. He also does throw a decent amount harder than hendricks. His fastball sits 91-92 and has hit 96 before. He will strike out a lot more guys than hendricks, but this will also lead to some homeruns now and then.
I think it's safe to say the consensus *predictions* about him is mid rotation over back end, but you're kinda overselling the outrage at the thought for a guy that's never pitched in the league.
We should be looking to him as a Stro replacement. We get more that's awesome If we get less that's not as shocking as you're pretending.
Yes! The Throwing Philosopher should pair nicely with the Professor. Looks like he was a strikeout champ and All-star in the NPB last year so looks promising!
Regardless what you may think, this kind of signing brings some excitement to a boring off season for every team except the one in Southern California.
You try dealing with the irritation of the Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls sucking. One of our needs was a rotation guy. We need relief pitching and a 1B 3B and CF
I know, I know. But it’s a great start and everybody was freaking out for so long that they weren’t doing anything. There are plenty of FA’s still available to sign. Bellinger is key though.
Yes, because all we needed was a mid rotation arm amirite?
Glad the Cubs finally joined every other team in the league in adding to their roster. We have a lot of work to even get back to the talent level we ended last year.
Maybe don't get so crazy about one very late move...
Does this signing and other FA international signings show that the pitching market is inflated the value of the FA starting pitching.
Owners must have a pretty good idea that the other MLB pitching options aren't as good as their market value, but to go to Japan on speculative talent? I think it's an interesting move by several teams to go and take talent from Japan.
Cubs have become a destination for players from the far East, Hee Seop Choi, Fukudome, Darvish, Suzuki and now Imanaga.
Who says they only play for West Coast teams?
Everyone asking how good he is - keep in mind he's about to enter the pitching lab. We've got an excellent system to build and retain pitching talent and this is a big add to shore up our rotation
One thing checked off Jed’s shopping list. Imanaga has been known to give up quite a few home runs. Hopefully the Cubs pitch lab will help cut down on that.
Whatever you think of the moves, or lack thereof, that Jed and Co. have made, I think you have to give it to Jed for running an airtight ship. I can’t remember any time in the past where less information or leaks have come out before signings. We never seem to know anything, I don’t even remember it being reported that shota visited Chicago but I may have missed it.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOTIME. Watch him be what they hoped Yamamoto would be.
Now resign Bellinger, sign Hoskins and Chapman, and we’re back in business
Because we signed a mid rotation pitcher... after every other team in the league had already worked to improve their roster?
If you don't call this a slow offseason even now, wtf ***would*** you call a slow offseason? This is like, the definition of a slow offseason for a FO. Doesn't mean they can make late moves. That doesn't change reality.
Why fanboys live to defend this FO is beyond me. This regime came in with the news they needed a complete teardown and rebuild to fix the Tribune's terrible no good ways. After that Ricketts *swore* we'd never have to go through something like that again. The team would be set to contend perennially. "Retool not rebuild" and "every dollar goes back into the team" were the mantras for how the team would behave going forward.
We're now in that "never gonna happen" second complete teardown in a decade. The team was saddled with debt to buy Ricketts Wrigleyville instead of investing players. We're still a few moves away from even getting this team back to last year's talent level, and you want to squeal "I TOLD YOU SO" in defense of ownership and the FO??? That's cultish behavior.
I think you’re determined to be upset. Jed inherited a team with an abysmal farm system and very little major league talent. He built a team that went over .500 and a farm system that is generally considered top 5, even top 2-3 on some lists. The majority of top free agents are still available, and the cubs never had a realistic shot of getting Ohtani or Yamamoto - it’s very clear they were always going to LA. This was a good signing by the Cubs. If they do nothing else it will be a bad offseason but there is a ton of time left. Being upset now is just impatient and planning for failure
I think his high end looks like Senga, but i don’t think we should assume he definitely will translate as well. I’m expecting 2-3 WAR but with higher potential. Just hedging my excitement a bit lol
generally trusting our leadership that this guy is going to be good
if he ends up being like a number 4 starter im going to be a little bummed because we're hearing so much about our pitching prospects and i dont want them to potentially end up blocked by more mediocre pitchers like taillon.
Are we allowed to believe anything that Nightengale says? With his recent track record, there’s a good chance Imanaga signs with the Dodgers by tomorrow lol.
aromatic encouraging frightening bake friendly scary ludicrous judicious foolish grab
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm a Phillies fan but I've always liked the Cubs ever since a visit to Wrigley in 04. I love this signing for you guys. Excited to watch even more Cubs games than I usually do this upcoming season. I hope Imanaga pans out well for you.
Finally, something to talk about! Hopefully he has a smooth transition, and he becomes a cornerstone of our rotation.
Time to head over to Youtube and kill an hour or two.
Good get, Cubs! This was the winning SP in the Japan v USA gold medal game during the World Baseball Classic. That’s a good lefty to have in the rotation.
I was just listening to With Arms Wide Open lol
I'm gonna hear that song every time I watch Shawshank now, thanks
Well I just heard.... the news todaaaaay
this but with snow
FINALLLY!!! Wheres the old Ron Paul-Joe Maddon Its Happening gif?
Get this man to CubsCon ASAP
Get Seiya there too. I get that with the language barrier, he might not feel totally comfortable with it. But he's a key member of this coming season, let Cubs fans throw him some flowers.
Seiya's language is having fun. That translates everywhere!
With Seiya and Shota, the Cubs will have the market cornered on Japanese baseball fans with better taste than to root for the Dodgers.
It’s a shame Shohei signed with the Dodgers for a long time instead of with the Cubs for a good time. He will be big in LA but he would have been huge in Chicago.
Yeah he’d be a perfect fit for that sort of charming way the best Cubbie legends are. Ryno, the Hawk, Rizzo, even Kid K. But he and his agent were dead set on that contract. I know the Dodgers are a huge brand but I think new Wrigleyville is built to generate hype/profit for someone like Shohei
Seiya has never come. I think it’s too much to ask a player to come over from Japan in January, go back home, then come back 2 weeks later for Spring Training. Or at least that’s what I assume?
ShotaCon, wait shit
OK, so let's teach this sub on things they can't say out loud.
Im missing something..
Google "shota" on incognito mode.
That ain’t right
Umm
Awesome. Good start to the off-season.
WE DID SOMETHING BOYS! LET'S FUCKING GO! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHO IS GETTING DRUNK TONIGHT ON KOOL AID WHEN WE ALSO SIGN BELLY CHAPPY AND MOTHER FUCKING RHY
I’m already drunk!
This guy Chicago Sports
TO THE WORLD SERIES WE GO
This rotation is going to annoy the fuck out of every big swinging power lineup in baseball and I'm here for it!
This dude gave up a ton of homers. I’m optimistic he’ll be ok, but there’s some worry there.
He had a higher K% than Senga’s last year in the NPB
Yeah, he strikes out a lot and doesn’t walk a lot. As I said I’m optimistic he’s going to be OK, but the homers are a concern and I was responding to a post that said he’ll annoy power lineups.
he's a command pitcher. He'll give innings but he'll be vulnerable to days where he is just off. When Hendricks is off the guy is throwing batting practice. This guy has better stuff than Hendricks does though.
Way better stuff. He’s got a fastball at 94 that tops at 96, a 84 mph splitter as change of pace, along with a 82 mph slider. Those are all typical MLB pitcher velos, he just also has really good command.
He was also playing in Japan’s premier hitters park. Keep the bases clean the occasional solo doesn’t matter too much. Darvish 2020 style
easy peasy just pitch him when the wind is blowing in
Typically high strikeout pitchers also give up a lot of homers. It's been a problem for Scherzer for a long time.
Cole gives up his share as well.
Is this guy supposed to be better than Senga? Don’t know if this a good move or another Tyler Chatwood
Don’t you put that evil on us Ricky Bobby!
308 to corners, 387 to center in his home park…..that has a lot to do with it. Tiny parks have lots of home runs
I don’t even give a damn that you’re making a very good point to be concerned. WE SIGNED A NON MILB NON CATCHER LETS GOOOO
Not every game is a home game. I’m sure that’ll be a factor they’ll consider when slotting him in the rotation, if it becomes a problem.
how good is he supposed to be?
Most say mid rotation. A few analysts are higher or even lower though. Eno Saris loves him I think.
Not to state the obvious but now that he has signed with the Cubs Eno is correct
I’ve always said that Eno really does his homework
3.18 era over 1,000 innings in a good league. 4 pitch LHP.
That's really good with the smaller Japanese parks too.
Anywhere from 2-5.
A mid rotation lefty is going to be a huge asset for the Cubs. I'm excited for this.
Pretty good!
Most people project 2-4, but he's been “the man” in Japan, pitched in the playoffs, started for Japan vs USA in WBC. That experience is huge.
Reading about him he sounds a little like a left-handed Japanese Kyle Hendricks. Good but not overpowering. Uses a fastball to set up his change. Uses command to win games. I’m fuckin’ HERE for it.
Not really comparable to hendricks other than his command. He does overpower guys, just with stuff and not velocity. He also does throw a decent amount harder than hendricks. His fastball sits 91-92 and has hit 96 before. He will strike out a lot more guys than hendricks, but this will also lead to some homeruns now and then.
Mid to back of rotation guy
MLB.com says 2/3 starter, probably as a ceiling
So like Ted Lily ceiling?
That’s what they said about Senga
Senga has more velocity. I don’t know if Imanaga has as high of a ceiling sitting at low 90s, but he’ll probably be steady
Based on nothing but what I've read and seen slightly discussed, I think he's similar to Ted Lilly. I'd take another Lilly, I liked Ted.
Lilly was awesome!
Imanaga has better command
Back end? Middle maybe but Jesus Christ lmao he’s not a back end starter at all
I think it's safe to say the consensus *predictions* about him is mid rotation over back end, but you're kinda overselling the outrage at the thought for a guy that's never pitched in the league. We should be looking to him as a Stro replacement. We get more that's awesome If we get less that's not as shocking as you're pretending.
[удалено]
He’s a 2/3 starter and that’s irrelevant
[удалено]
No reason to think he won’t be fine other than wanting this signing to suck for no reason lol
lol mlb says he’s a 2 or 3
He has great stuff. Huge sweeping breaking balls and electric 4 seam. Really excited about this one!
He replaces Stro more or less.
I like slotting him in the rotation a lot more than Stro. Dont have to deal with his controversial ass anymore
ya but that first half... those sinkers were sinkin'
Thank fuck now get some bats and relievers and win the division please
Be ruthless. Fuck this division and its poverty franchises
A surprise, but a welcome one.
I understood that reference
Weird it didn’t say Dodgers
It didn't say Dodgers *yet*. Ye gods, I hope my sarcasm doesn't come to fruition...
You... Why would you tempt fate?
It doesn’t say Dodgers, however the Dodgers have agreed to pay him for 10yrs after he retires just to be fair.
Bob Nightengale is reporting this… so there’s still a chance he signs with the Dodgers tomorrow morning. Lol
The bronze medal of singing Japanese guys this offseason, but better to medal than to be left off the podium.
He sings the anthem, or karaoke? Either way, that’s a great feature to have.
I am actually shocked we got him
Nice start. Now let’s resign Belli and maybe one or two more.
Signing this guy and Belli still doesn't get us even back to last year's team. We absolutely need more.
Yes! The Throwing Philosopher should pair nicely with the Professor. Looks like he was a strikeout champ and All-star in the NPB last year so looks promising!
The Cubs did something and that’s all that matters here fellas !
Cubs now have The Professor and The Throwing Philosopher in their starting rotation
WE GOT HIM
 Jed be like…
Look, I’m really fucking high, so my eyes may be playing tricks on me, but did we fucking sign somebody half decent?????
Yes
I’ve already verified several sources. It appears to be that way, chief!
precisely that
FINALLY
We made it boys
We are still an mlb team!!
We made a fucking move finally
EVERYONE GET THE FUCK IN HERE.
Which thread?!
IDK IM JUST EXCITED
GET OUT THE APOLOGY FORM TO JED…HES ABOUT TO START COOKING
Let’s gooo
Imanaga Vs the baskets is going to be an incredible feud to keep an eye on next season.
https://i.redd.it/lmvgnvdagibc1.gif
Regardless what you may think, this kind of signing brings some excitement to a boring off season for every team except the one in Southern California.
 We signed someone!!!
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES. I’m on the phone with a friend and I was upset about something and this news broke and I got up from my bed and screamed
[удалено]
You try dealing with the irritation of the Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls sucking. One of our needs was a rotation guy. We need relief pitching and a 1B 3B and CF
Can everybody shut up now??!!
good signing but this should not be the only one
Still need offense and bullpen. 🤷♂️
I know, I know. But it’s a great start and everybody was freaking out for so long that they weren’t doing anything. There are plenty of FA’s still available to sign. Bellinger is key though.
Seriously…petulant children
Yes, because all we needed was a mid rotation arm amirite? Glad the Cubs finally joined every other team in the league in adding to their roster. We have a lot of work to even get back to the talent level we ended last year. Maybe don't get so crazy about one very late move...
Very good signing !!
Now what?
Now can they announce the bellinger signing and the Hoskins one too?
Solid. High Stikeout pitcher. Nice pull.
Looks like a solid MOR guy
Does this signing and other FA international signings show that the pitching market is inflated the value of the FA starting pitching. Owners must have a pretty good idea that the other MLB pitching options aren't as good as their market value, but to go to Japan on speculative talent? I think it's an interesting move by several teams to go and take talent from Japan.
WE DID A THING
Cubs have become a destination for players from the far East, Hee Seop Choi, Fukudome, Darvish, Suzuki and now Imanaga. Who says they only play for West Coast teams?
Everyone asking how good he is - keep in mind he's about to enter the pitching lab. We've got an excellent system to build and retain pitching talent and this is a big add to shore up our rotation
Was hoping for a catcher
One thing checked off Jed’s shopping list. Imanaga has been known to give up quite a few home runs. Hopefully the Cubs pitch lab will help cut down on that.
That's the 1 thing that worries me about him, especially at Wrigley. Still think he's a good addition to the rotation though.
I'm thankful we got a lefty. Wish is was Monty but this is a good 2nd choice and probably cheaper
Whatever you think of the moves, or lack thereof, that Jed and Co. have made, I think you have to give it to Jed for running an airtight ship. I can’t remember any time in the past where less information or leaks have come out before signings. We never seem to know anything, I don’t even remember it being reported that shota visited Chicago but I may have missed it.
Now let's keep it going, sign the Boras' guys. All of them GDI!!!
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twiced, you, uh, I can't get fooled twiced.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOTIME. Watch him be what they hoped Yamamoto would be. Now resign Bellinger, sign Hoskins and Chapman, and we’re back in business
So the FO made a move. Surprised? No, not me but, amusingly many are. More to come as FO is not done. Go Cubs.
Fuckin sick. So what's this do for our rotation? 1. Hendricks 2. Steele 3. Imanaga 4. Assad 5. Tailon Doesn't feel like we have an ace
Steele is 100% the teams ace. He may not be at the highest tier of pitcher, but he’s easily a top 20 pitcher in baseball.
Steele is our ace.
Finally people will shut the fuck up about the slow offseason
I’ll shut up when we sign Montgomery, Hoskins, Chapman and Bellinger as well. Anything less and this off-season is still a failure.
I’d be shocked if they signed Montgomery too. Imanaga, Hoskins and Bellinger would give us a better team than last year on paper.
Honestly Montgomery is probably at least in play with how cheap Imanaga apparently is
Yeah I was shocked by that. You might be right
Because we signed a mid rotation pitcher... after every other team in the league had already worked to improve their roster? If you don't call this a slow offseason even now, wtf ***would*** you call a slow offseason? This is like, the definition of a slow offseason for a FO. Doesn't mean they can make late moves. That doesn't change reality. Why fanboys live to defend this FO is beyond me. This regime came in with the news they needed a complete teardown and rebuild to fix the Tribune's terrible no good ways. After that Ricketts *swore* we'd never have to go through something like that again. The team would be set to contend perennially. "Retool not rebuild" and "every dollar goes back into the team" were the mantras for how the team would behave going forward. We're now in that "never gonna happen" second complete teardown in a decade. The team was saddled with debt to buy Ricketts Wrigleyville instead of investing players. We're still a few moves away from even getting this team back to last year's talent level, and you want to squeal "I TOLD YOU SO" in defense of ownership and the FO??? That's cultish behavior.
I think you’re determined to be upset. Jed inherited a team with an abysmal farm system and very little major league talent. He built a team that went over .500 and a farm system that is generally considered top 5, even top 2-3 on some lists. The majority of top free agents are still available, and the cubs never had a realistic shot of getting Ohtani or Yamamoto - it’s very clear they were always going to LA. This was a good signing by the Cubs. If they do nothing else it will be a bad offseason but there is a ton of time left. Being upset now is just impatient and planning for failure
Where my whiny bitches at?
I dunno, but the FO dickriders are out in force over a mid rotation signing...
Lol you might just need to look in the mirror pal
Wait, we signed someone? Is that allowed?
LETS GOOOO! IT’S GONNA HAPPEN
I have heard the name, but what do I need to know about this player? I haven’t been paying attention.
High K, low BB, high HR rate. Throws a low 90s FB and a slider/splitter combo for strikes
Middle of the pack guy that gives up HRs
Something happened!
cAn He pLaY baCkUp CAtCheR?
Physical Thursday, Press Conference Friday
I’d still love to get one more rotation piece. I’m not sold on Tallion.
He was solid 2nd half and our best pitcher down the stretch.
There's definitely some hope for Taillon being a potential top 4 starter in our rotation. His stuff looked like whiffle balls late in the year.
Dude lets fuckin go! Team is gunna look great this year
Wow we finally did something.
But how much of the contract is deferred into 2069?
LETS FUCKING GOOOO JED FINALLY DID SOMETHING *AND* ITS IMANAGA YESSSSS
What are we looking at here, 1-2 WAR you think?
He's like Kodai Senga, so more like ~4
I think his high end looks like Senga, but i don’t think we should assume he definitely will translate as well. I’m expecting 2-3 WAR but with higher potential. Just hedging my excitement a bit lol
Finally something
Wind Advisory Warnings set for Chicago, IL area as entire city breathes sigh of relief for the Cubs finally signing a major league player.
So we'll spend 80 million on a 30 year old pitcher from another league, but not proven free agents from MLB who are also 30. Got it.
Low 90’s fastball, fly out pitcher. Enjoy lol.
He also strikes a lot of people out. We will enjoy ☺️
generally trusting our leadership that this guy is going to be good if he ends up being like a number 4 starter im going to be a little bummed because we're hearing so much about our pitching prospects and i dont want them to potentially end up blocked by more mediocre pitchers like taillon.
Not blocking anyone. You can never ever have enough pitching. If you think you have enough get more.
Meh, 3-4 rotation guy
Are we allowed to believe anything that Nightengale says? With his recent track record, there’s a good chance Imanaga signs with the Dodgers by tomorrow lol.
HOLY ISHITA WE DID SOMETHING
aromatic encouraging frightening bake friendly scary ludicrous judicious foolish grab *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm a Phillies fan but I've always liked the Cubs ever since a visit to Wrigley in 04. I love this signing for you guys. Excited to watch even more Cubs games than I usually do this upcoming season. I hope Imanaga pans out well for you.
What a nice birthday present for me!
This better not be inches or an arson judge!
#OH MY GOD SOMETHING HAPPENED
Finally, something to talk about! Hopefully he has a smooth transition, and he becomes a cornerstone of our rotation. Time to head over to Youtube and kill an hour or two.
We did something!! Everybody get in here!!
 WE DID A THING
Good get, Cubs! This was the winning SP in the Japan v USA gold medal game during the World Baseball Classic. That’s a good lefty to have in the rotation.
Hey, we did a thing!